ASSIGNMENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Our assignment system is unique and primarily focuses on the needs of the Air Force first, then on assignment equity, and finally, on individual preference considerations. When all three come together, we have a match.

Overseas and overseas return assignments are completed in three month cycles. Requirements are advertised through the Enlisted Quarterly Assignments List (EQUAL). You may volunteer and update your preferences through the virtual Military Personnel Flight application or contact your local military personnel office. Based on your choices and your relative priority among those in the same grade and AFSC, names are matched to the bases. The assignments flow to your local military personnel office then to your commander for official notification.

Graduates from basic military training are provided assignments on a weekly basis, as are most graduates from Technical Training. Assignments are provided to the Continental United States as well as overseas and are provided equitably among the commands. Individual preferences are considered to the fullest extent possible.

ACCESSING PCS OR SEPARATION ORDERS

Airmen may access their permanent change of station or separation orders or amendments through vMPF. Log into the Air Force’s Personnel Center secure website, click vMPF, click the Out Processing link (under Most Popular Applications) and access the "view orders" link (under the Pages menu). The PDF file(s) is/are available for you to retrieve. Either open and print copies or save to your computer for an electronic copy.

If you do not have a "view orders" link, you must contact your assignment or separation counselor to determine the status of your orders.

Note: Technical school students, Office of Special Investigation agents and general officers may not have a virtual out-processing account. Contact your assignment or separation counselor to retrieve a copy of your orders.

PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION ORDERS PROCESS

General Information

Most permanent change of station orders, AF Form 899, Request and Authorization for Permanent Change of Station – Military, are produced in the Orders Processing Application, or OPA. OPA interfaces with the Military Personnel Data System and vMPF, and some blocks are pre-populated with the assignment information from these sources.

Normal Orders Processing

The Military Personnel Section can begin drafting PCS orders in OPA at any time after the assignment notification is received and acknowledged by the Airman. The MPS OPA Technician/Approving Official publishes orders not later than 60 days prior to departure per Air Force Instruction 36-2102, Base-Level Relocation Procedures. The orders are then sent to AFPC TFSC Assignments Section via OPA for authentication. AFPC TFSC Assignments Section authenticate orders by the projected departure date, or PDD, in OPA. Orders will be authenticated no earlier than 120 days prior to the PDD unless an exception to policy is approved by AFPC Military Assignments Programs Branch.

Exceptions to Policy

Exception to policy reasons may be to obtain diplomatic or official passports, requiring dependents to obtain a VISA, per Foreign Clearance Guide or short notice assignments, IAW AFI 36-2110. All exception to policy requests must be submitted by the Airman through the myPers website; select PCS Order Exception Waiver.

Expedited Orders Request

Expedited processing requests are submitted by the MPS for short notice assignments or cases where orders are submitted and the Airman's PDD is within 36 hours of the order submission date, or if extraordinary circumstances exist. Justification is required. The MPS Relocation function sends expedited processing requests via email to the AFPC TFSC Assignments Section and may follow up on requests 24 hours after submission.

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